History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 156

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878 > Part 156

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LOCAL NAMES.

Turkey Street is a name given to a portion of the old Sencea turnpike, east of the village of Oncida Castle. This name was applied from the fact that a number of the first settlers went to the Oneida Castle in the night and stole several turkeys from the Indians. They were found out, and the locality in which they lived was given the above appropriate title. Originally its eastern boundary was a large hemlock-tree standing on the south side of the road, west of the house of Captain Williamu Grant. This tree fell a few years after it was deelared the boundary, but its prostrate form still marked the eastern terminus of the " street." A couneil of the inhabitants a few years later decided that Captain Grant must become a citizen of " Turkey Street," and as he could not easily move west of the tree, that must be drawn east of him. To aecom- plish this twelve yokes of oxen were hitehed to it at mid- night, and ere long it was left in its new position, some thirty rods east of the captain's residence ; his surprise on seeing it when he awoke the next morning was very great. About twenty-five years after the name was established it

# Jones' Annals.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

was considered expedient for the inhabitants to change it; and on a certain Fourth of July, amid the flashing of powder and the gurgling of rum, it was with considerable flourish duly named " Union Village." The honors of the new title were modestly borne until

"- The dying flame of day Through the chancel shot its ray,"

but on awakening the next morning the citizens of the locality found themselves as much in "Turkey Street" as ever, and no further attempt has since been made to change it.

Cooper Street runs parallel with, and one or two miles north of the Seneca turnpike, and received its name from the fact that most of its early settlers were coopers.

Ilovel, or Webster Street, begins about two miles southi- west of Vernon village, near the former residence of Esquire William Root, and leads thence south to Sargeant's Patent. The dwellings of the first settlers along this road were built in " hovel style," the roof being without a ridge, the front portion of the building the higher, and a moderate pitch in the roof from front to rear. This occasioned the name " Hovel Street." The five families named Webster, all among the first settlers in town, settled side by side on this street, and from that circumstance it received the name " Webster Street."

EARLY SCHOOLS.

The first school in the town of Vernon was taught at the Centre by a Mr. Sessions, later a merchant of Newport, R. I., in a log house erected for the purpose.

The first framed school building in town was erected at Vernon village soon after 1798, and was used both as a school-house and church for some years. Two academies formerly existed, one at Oneida Castle and the other at Vernon village. The one at Oneida Castle was established by a Mr. Bronson, who for some time taught in it. It has been converted into a union school, with two departments in the winter and one during the summer. Miss Harriet Wells had charge in the summer of 1878. The only school at Oneida Castle previous to 1818 was one kept after the Lancasterian system and attended by the Indians. A Bap- tist Missionary Society established a school for them sub- sequent to 1818, and the minister, Rev. Mr. Powell, was the teacher. The Indians also had a blacksmith-shop and other industrial institutions. The lot on which they con- gregated annually on the 1st of June, to receive their an- nuities, was called the " Butternut Orchard," from the fact of there being an orchard of butternut-trees upon it. This is now the property of Silas Adams.

The academy at Vernon village was established in 1833, mainly through the instrumentality of Salmon Case. It was duly incorporated, and was maintained until 1876, when its property was transferred to the trustees of the union school, under whom its affairs are now administered. Schools were taught in this village probably previous to 1800, as the inhabitants were very intelligent, and their moral standing was of the best. The town has at present eleven school districts, and its schools are in fine eondi- tion, with a large attendance.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The first religious organization in the town of Vernon was formed in 1803; it was located at Vernon Centre, and was Congregational in its mode of government. It is now Presbyterian, and is known as the "Vernon Presbyterian Church." Rev. Mr. Bogue was the first pastor, and was followed by Rev. Calvin Bushnell, who came to town in 1811, and preached here and in the Presbyterian Church in Vernon village until 1817, when he was settled as pastor of the latter. The first church was erected in 1812, and rebuilt in 1839. It is yet standing. Its present member- ship is about 125, and its pastor Rev. F. M. Tripp, of Augusta, who also preaches at Augusta Centre. The Sun- day-school has an attendance of about 80, a library of 450 volumes, and is superintended by E. J. Norton.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, VERNON CENTRE.

This society was formed in 1826, and in 1828 the pres- ent frame church was erected, and dedicated in January, 1829. In 1850 the spire was demolished by a lightning- bolt, but has sinee been rebuilt. The membership of the society is about 100. The pastor is Rev. S. M. Crofoot, and the Superintendent of the Sunday-school is Henry Bea- con. The school has an attendance of about 70, and a library of 180 volumes.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VERNON VILLAGE.

The town of Vernon was long called " Mount Vernon," as was also the village, and the above society, when organ- ized in June, 1805, was called the " Mount Vernon Pres- byterian Society." The present frame church was built by subscription in 1815, but has since been extensively re- paired. Rev. Calvin Bushnell, who had previously preached here and at Vernon Centre, was installed pastor over this congregation exclusively in 1817. In 1829 he was dis- missed, and removed with a colony to Lisbon, Ill. Rev. Aaron Gunnison succeeded him the same year, and the next pastor was Rev. H. P. Boguc, who resigned in January, 1840 ; his place was filled the following April by Rev. R. C. Brisbin, who remained until 1845. Rev. Henry Darling, Rev. Isaac P. Stryker, and others have since been in charge. At present there is no regular pastor. The members number about 90, and are residents of the immediate neighborhood. Russell Freeman is the Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which possesses a library of about 350 volumes.

BAPTIST CHURCH, VERNON VILLAGE.

This society was constituted Oct. 22, 1807. Among its early pastors were Revs. Calvin Philco, J. C. Harrison, N. N. Whiting, J. J. Fulton, William Pepper, J. W. Gibbs, J. P. Simmons, Demas Robinson, A. Kenyon, Seymour W. Adams, and P. Goo. In June, 1878, Rev. Mr. Cub- berly, of Madison University, was preaching, but not yet ordained. According to the minutes of the last Association, the membership in September, 1877, was 96, and will not vary far from that number at present. A Sunday-school is sustained, with 11 officers and teachers, 49 scholars, 239 volumes in the library, and Albert Brown, Superintendent. Another Sunday-school in charge of this church meets in the school-house at " Turkey Strcet," and has a member-

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ship of 76. The pastor at Vernon preaches evening ser- mons here to a congregation composed mostly of members of the church in the village.

THE UNITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY

of Vernon was organized in March, 1841, and the church edifiee formerly used by the Indians, and located immedi. ately west of the present factories of the Oneida Comnu- nity, was moved to Vernon village, and dedicated Sept. 20, 1842. The Indians held services in it until the last of the Oneida Reservation was sold. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Emmons, of Boston, Mass., who took charge Aug. 31, 1843. Meetings have not been held by this society for a number of years, and the doors of the old church are elosed.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY

at Vernon village was organized about 1830-32, and the present frame church moved in 1838-39 to the lot on which it now stands from its original position in the northwest part of the present corporation, where it was built soon after the society was organized. The members in June, 1878, numbering about 70, were in charge of Rev. A. R. Warner as pastor. The Sabbath-sehool has a fair library ; its Superintendent is Charles Clinch.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI, ONEIDA CASTLE.

A Presbyterian society was organized and a house of worship built subsequent to 1830. This ehureh is now under the pastoral charge of Rev. A. Cochran, of Dur- hamville (town of Verona). Its members number from 75 to 100. The first meetings of the society were held in the school-house ; the present frame church is the only one the society has ever used. A Sunday-school is sustained, with a good attendance; J. Wilson Chappell is its Super- intendent. This is the only religious organization in the place, or which has ever had a recognized existence here, and its house of worship is the only one the village has ever possessed.

VILLAGE OF ONEIDA CASTLE.

Seetion one of the aet incorporating this village, passed by the Legislature May 26, 1841, reads as follows, to wit :

" ¿ 1. All that part of the town of Lenox and county of Madison, and of the town of Vernon, county of Oneida, contained in the fol- lowing bounds, to wit : Beginning at the southeast corner of the lot of lan I sitnate in said town of Lenox now owned and ocenpied by John Adle; and thenee running westerly in a direct line to the south- west corner of lot number fifteen of the second Oneida purchase of 1829; thence northerly in the west line of said last-mentioned lot in a direet lino to the north bonnds of the lot belonging to Timothy Jenkins, in said town of Lenox ; thence easterly on the west bounds of said Jenkins' lot to the Oneidla Creek ; thence northerly down said creek to a point where it shall meet a right line with the west line of Tenth Street, of said village of Oneida Castle, as laid out by John Randall, under the direction of S. De Witt, late Surveyor-General of this State; thence easterly on the north line of said Tenth Street, in said town of Vernon, to the easterly line of said village, as laid ont by said Randall as aforesaid; thence sontherly on said casterly line to the Oneida Creek ; and from thenee in a direct line to the place of beginning, shall hereafter continue to be known and distinguished by the name of ' Oneida Castle,' and the freeholders and inhabitants re- siding within said limits are hereby constitute l a boly corporate by the name of ' The Trustees of the Village of Oncida Cost'e.' "

The first village election was held at the school-house in said village on Tuesday, May 3, 1842, when the following trustees were chosen, viz. : Robert Perry, Rufus Peckham, Horatio Stevens, Hulbert G. Wetmore, Nathan F. Graves. Robert Perry was chosen President of the Board, and James Tomlinson appointed Corporation Clerk. Daniel Lamb was appointed Collector and Treasurer, Jeremiah Thomas Poundmaster, and Timothy Jenkins, John Smith, and Stephen Parkhurst Fire-Wardens. The Trustees from 1843 to 1878 have been the following persons :

1843 .- Albert Patten, Robert Perry, John W. Eddy, Daniel Lamb, Nathan F. Graves.

1844 .- Henry Cranston, Daniel Shelley, Erastus Stod- dard, Samuel Babcock, James F. O'Toole.

1845 .- Joseph G. Wells, Erastus Stoddard, John Bus- well, Suel Newhouse, Samuel Gliddon.

1846 .- Nathan F. Graves, Robert Perry, Stephen Park- hurst, Henry Cranston, A. J. Stanford.

1847 .- Albert Patton, Edwin C. Brown, Daniel P. Hutchinson, Erastus Stoddard, James Tomlinson.

1848 .- John Merrill, E. W. Dodge, C. II. Wells, D. P. Hutchinson, Waterman Harrington.

1849 .- J. P. Sherwood, J. Tomlinson, H. G. Wetmore, Robert Perry, John Buswell.

1850 .- William H. Braekin, Robert Perry, Gaylord Joslin, Joseph Y. Wells, John B. Eddy.

1851 .- E W. Dodge, John Tomlinson, Rufus Peek- ham, Ephraim Randall, D P. Hutchinson.

1852 .- O. B. Marsh, E. W. Dodge, Rufus Peekham, Robert Perry, Horaee Forbes.

1853 .- A. J. Sanford, D. P. Hutehicson, W. Harring- ton, J. Y. Wells, J. M. Hill.

1854 .- W. S. Rockwell, A. J. Sanford, C. H. Wells, J. W. Eddy, Daniel Shelley.

1855 .- C. M. Jenkins, C. H. Wells, II. G. Wetmore, W. S. Rockwell, Juba Lec.

1.856 .- C. H. Wells, Il. G. Wetmore, William F. Green, Robert Menzie, H. T. Brown.

1857 .- John L. Bridge, Patrick H. Hood, Hiram T. Jenkins, William S. Rockwell, C. II. Wells.

1858 .- John Adle, Jr., Oliver P. Root, J. L. Bridge, Philander N. Cowen, Henry Cranston.

1859 .- O. P. Root, H. G. Wetmore, Billious Avery, John J. Adle, Harvey T. Brown.

1860 .- D. G. Dorranec, J. L. Bridge, HI. T. Jenkins, O. P. Root, George D. Davis.

1861 .- Daniel G. Dorranee, Hiram T. Jenkins, George D. Davis, Oliver P. Root, Billious Avery.

1862 .- H. T. Brown, William Huggins, Wm. Thomas, Calvin Wells, Curtis Robinson.

1363 .- C. Robinson, Amos Bridge, II. G. Wetmore, C. HI. Wells, H. T. Brown.

1864 .- II. G. Wetmore, Amos Bridge, E. D. Beebe, H. T. Brown, C. B. Hotchkiss.

1865 .- C. B. Hotehkiss, C. H. Wells, Billious Avery, Thomas Joslin, Amos Bridge.

1866 .- Billions Avery, Amos Bridge, H. G. Wetmore, Albert Patton, C. II. Wells.

1867 .- D. G. Dorrance, C. II. Wells, Eleazer Carr, Al- vin Smith, Hamilton Lamb.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

1868 .- H. G. Wetmore, John Hovey, Randall J. Bur- lison, C. H. Wells, George Davis.

1869 .- C. H. Wells, Daniel Osterhout, Hamilton Lamb, Asa A. Potter, Eleazer Carr.

1870 .- J. C. Sherwood, J. G. Hovey, H. Lamb, James Klock, William Mathewson.

1871 .- C. H. Wells, H. G. Wetmore, A. H. Lamb, C. W. Chappell, James Kloek.

1872 .- Horace Luce, H. Lamb, C. A. Hill, M. L. Carr, H. S. Cranston.

The general act for the incorporation of villages was passed by the State Legislature April 20, 1870; on the 23d of December, 1872, an election was held in the village to determine whether it should become a corporation under the provisions of said aet, and the vote was twenty to nothing in favor. The first election of offieers under the rew charter was held Jan. 11, 1873, at which time the fol- lowing officers were ehosen, viz. :

President, James B. Avery ; Trustees, James Klock, J. L. Bridge, C. H. Wells ; Treasurer, H. Luee; Colleetor, L. Budlong; Clerk (appointed), M. L. Carr.

The annual election for the same year was held Mareh 18, and resulted in the ehoiee of Hamilton Lamb, Presi- dent, and C. H Wells, J. G. Hovey, and Frank Hyde, Trustees.

1874 .- President, George R. Morrison ; Trustees, J. L. Bridge, C. A. Hill, A. H. Lamb.

1875 .- President, C. A. Hill; Trustees, F. Hyde, James Kloek, Van R. Moyer.

1876 .- President, James B. Avery ; Trustees, Daniel Osterhout, John W. Maine, Henry E. Millard. This board held over for 1877.

1878 .- President, Daniel E. Teal; Trustees, Clarenee Ney, Calvin H. Wells, M. L. Carr; Collector, Leander Budlong; Clerk (appointed), James B. Avery ; Treasurer (appointed), A. P. Dodge, M.D. At a subsequent meet- ing J. B. Avery was appointed Treasurer in place of Dr. Dodge.

The first hotel in the village was kept by John Otis, Esq., and stood on the site of the present lower hotel owned by Mr. Coon. Mr. Otis is remembered as being a very fine man and a good landlord. The house has been several times repaired and enlarged, and is yet standing; the last addition was built by Calvin Wells. Another large two-story frame hotel stood on ground now owned by Mrs. Carr. Its proprietor previously kept a small publie- house just west of the lot on which stands the present " White House." The large building was finally destroyed by fire. Previous to 1824, Stephen Parkhurst had a small hotel east of the one now owned by Mr. Coon, and in that year moved it to its present location opposite the " White House," enlarged it, and kept it for eight or ten years. About 1833-34 he built the present "White House," which is now conducted by his daughters.

The post-office at this place was established a few years previous to 1818, and George Baldwin, then praetieing law in the village, was appointed the first postmaster. Stephen Parkhurst was his successor, and held the office for twenty years, and after him Timothy Jenkins was ap- pointed. The present incumbent is Benjamin Burleston.

The first mercantile establishment at Oneida Castle was owned by Andrew Van Alstine, who was sueeeeded by Thomas Hooker. The old Van Alstine stand was opposite the present " White House." The present stone store building was erected about 1834 by Eliphalet Hotehkiss.

The earliest physician in the village was Dr. John Mor- rison, who was a master of his profession and an excellent gentleman. One Dr. Jenks praetieed here a short time, and moved to another loeality. Dr. Morrison finally emi- grated to the State of Wiseonsin, where he died from the effects of eating hot maple-syrup. He sold his praetiee here to Dr. Hurlburt G. Wetmore, who was sueeeeded by Dr. Martin Cavana, and he by Dr. A. P. Dodge, the present and only physician of the village.

A short sketch of Hon. Timothy Jenkins is here appro- priate. This gentleman was born in Barre, Worcester Co., Mass., January 29, 1799. When eighteen years of age he removed to Washington Co., N. Y., and for two years attended the academie schools at Salem and White Creek. In 1819, when twenty years of age, he eame to the town of Vernon, and for three years taught sehool at Vernon Centre and Clinton. He finally began studying law, and was a student in the offices of Judge Beardsley and W. H. Maynard, Esq., of Utiea, and L. Ford, Esq., of Her- kimer. He was admitted to practice as an attorney of the Supreme Court in 1825, and began praetieing at the vil- lage of Vernon, where he remained until about 1832, when he removed to Oneida Castle, which continued to be his home during his life. About 1839 he indueed his mother and sisters to remove from Massachusetts and take up their residenee near him.

He was married in 1822 to Florilla Tuttle, daughter of Captain David Tuttle, of Vernon Centre. His wife died about a year later, and he was married to her sister about 1829. Mr. Jenkins' widow and an only daughter (now the wife of Jerome Hiekox) are the only members of the family living, the son who survived him, Hiram T. Jen- kins, having deeeased July 29, 1868. The latter was a graduate of Hamilton College in the class of 1852, and at the time of his death was one of the most prominent law- yers in the county. He was born at Oneida Castle in 1833. He had been elected district attorney in 1859, and was serving a third term when he died. Charles M. Jen- kins, the eldest son of Timothy Jenkins, was buried Dee. 24, 1856, just three years before the death of his father. Mr. Jenkins (senior) accepted of no offiee that was incon- sistent with his professional progress. He was for ten years attorney for the Oneida Indians, who regarded him with the greatest affeetion. He was prosecuting attorney for Oneida County from 1840 to 1845, and in the latter year took his seat in the 29th Congress. As an M. C. he ranked among the foremost, and in his law praetiec was regarded as among the ablest members of the bar in the State. He served also in the 30th and 32d Congresses. He had originally been a Democrat politieally, but in 1855 united with the Republican party. He was a prominent member of the Unitarian Society at Vernon, which he had largely aided in forming. His death occurred at three P.M. of Saturday, Dee. 24, 1859, at Martinsburgh, Lewis Co., N. Y., whither he had gone to attend the Supreme

HON. TIMOTHY JENKINS.

The Hon. Timothy Jenkins was a native of New England, a descendant from the hardy, conscientious, devout first settlers of that seminal part of our country. He was born Jan. 29, 1799, in the town of Barre, State of Massachusetts, of parents whose genealogy showed them to be allied to the early Puri- tans of Plymouth. They were farmers, and intended for their son no other occupation in life. It was their wish that he and his only brother should own and till the same farm which had been bequcathed them by their father. Ere he had attained his sixteenth year his father had been removed by death. From that day he was left to maintain himself, mark out and pursue his own plan of life. He soon determined to seek a higher intellectual culture, to penetrate some of the regions of science and learning of which he had, in his ele- mentary studies, caught some glimpses. At the age of eighteen Mr. Jenkins removed to Washington County, this State ; there he resided two years, attending the academics at Salem and White Creek. During that time he devoted himself assid- uously to the attainment of classical and scientific learning. He then entered upon and pursued for three years the honor- able employment of school-teacher, in the prosecution of which he was continually extending and perfecting his acquaintance with several sciences and classical literature. At that time he commenced the study of the law, the practice of which he had determined should be the profession of his life. After- wards, having prosecuted his legal studies the required term under two distinguished lawyers in Utica, Mr. Jenkins was admitted to the bar in 1825. Soon after he opened an office in the adjoining village of Vernon, and 'in 1832 he removed and settled himself upon this spot.

From that time until his death, which occurred Dee. 24, 1859, he was constantly engaged in an ever-increasing legal business, extending into adjacent counties, and often into more distant parts of the State.

In 1840, Mr. Jenkins was appointed the prosecuting attor- ney of Oneida County, and he held that responsible office five years. During his term of service the criminal business of the county was unusually large, but his onerous duties were dis_ charged with signal ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his legal brethren and of the people generally.

For ten years, under the appointing power of the State, Mr.

Jenkins held the office of attorney to the Oneida Indians, and to this remnant of a onee noble tribe of the aboriginals of our country he faithfully extended the benefits of his talents and influence. In 1844 he was elected a representative to the Congress of the United States; also in 1846, and again in 1850. During those six years in that exalted but often desecrated station, Mr. Jenkins served his constituents, his State, the republic, and the cause of humanity with a fidelity to prin- ciple and independence of party that gained for him universal respect, and made him a still greater favorite of the people. He is believed to have been one of those who devised the " Wilmot Proviso." If he did not originate the measure he was early in the counsels of those who did. He supported it with great carnestness, although he knew it was displeasing to many of his own party. Mr. Jenkins was from early life a Democrat in his political belief; he nevertheless opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Missouri Compromise. In 1856 he joined the Fremont movement, and ever after acted with the Republicans.

Mr. Jenkins was a man positive in intellect, disposition, and in heart. He commenced life under disadvantageous circum- stances, but there was no man who enjoyed more entirely the confidence and respect of the whole community. He was highly distinguished for his learning and industry in his pro- fession, his great personal resolution and perseverance, and he maintained a position in the very first rank at the bar. Although not an orator as that term is generally understood, his speeches were always sound, logical, and to the point, and in the preparation of his causes he had no superior. In his religious convictions he was earnest and decided, and took a prominent part in the formation of a Unitarian society in Vernon and the erection of an edifice. To those who knew him slightly he appeared cold and distant, but a better acquaintance showed him genial and communicative, with a heart brimful of love and kindness to all.

In 1822, Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage with Miss Florilla Tuttle, of Vernon, which marriage was terminated by the death of the wife about a year afterwards. In 1829, Mr. Jenkins married Miss Harriet Tuttle, a sister of his deceased wife, who still survives him. She was a sharer of his earlier struggles and a partaker of his later successes.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Court, then in session in that place. He would have been sixty-one years of age the following month, January, 1860, had he lived. His death was sincerely mourned in both public and private circles, and resolutions of regard and condolence were adopted by the Oneida County bar and various organizations. The papers of the State published notices of his death and sketches of his career, and univer- sally paid tribute to his worth.

Many studied law with Mr. Jenkins at Oneida Castle, and were aided by him in reaching perfection in their pro- fession. The first lawyer who practiced here was George Baldwin, the first postmaster. Among those from this place who afterwards became prominent was Chauncey Shaffer, who was for some time a school-teacher at this vil- lage. Hc practiced law to some extent in Oneida and Madison Counties, and finally removed to New York City, where he now resides.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 156

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932